Choosing Your Workspace

Affinity Photo
Clip Studio
Clip Studio
Fire Alpaca
Gimp
Ibis Paint
Kleki
Krita
MediBang
Procreate
Photoshop
How do you choose the right program for your classroom? It’s a big question to tackle, so let’s break it down into bite-sized bits.
1

Will It Run?System Requirements

2

How Much Does It Cost?Budget and Licensing

3

Ease of UseDifficulty Level

4

Compare FeaturesTest Drive!

1
Will It Run?
1. Will It Run?
System Specifications (“Specs”)
To find a program compatible with your current classroom, you need to know your System Specifications:
Operating System
RAM (Memory)
GPU
Processor
Find the information about your machine in System Settings.
Settings > About
Compare to Software:
System Requirements
VS
2
How Much Does It Cost?
2. What Does It Cost?
Licensing Types
Each license model has costs and benefits. Consider the needs and limitations of your classroom before you purchase…
Frequency of Payment
Software Updates
Security and Data Management
Open Source
Publicly accessible source code. A good option for a DIY setup.
More Info
Open Source Licensing
You might want to take the open-source route if…
You don’t mind troubleshooting technical problems
You want students to be able to use software on their personal devices
You have no budget but extra time
You like using community forums to find answers to problems
You get a thrill from contributing to a collective project
You have no security restrictions at your organization
You might want to try a different license if…
You want a plug-and-play solution
You want students to be able to use software on their personal devices

You like using community forums to find answers to problems
You get a thrill from contributing to a collective project
You have no security restrictions at your organization
“Free”
Trade your data or watch ads to use a program without paying money.
Perpetual
Pay one time to use the current version of the software indefinitely.
Subscription
Pay on a recurring basis to continue using a software.
Some developers offer free or discounted Educational Licensing!
(doesn’t hurt to ask…)
3
Ease of Use
3. Ease of Use
Learning Curve
Ask Yourself: How much time can you dedicate to learning a new program?

Programs with fewer features such as Kleki and Procreate can be easier to pick up, but offer less robust tools. Programs like Adobe Photoshop give you more tools, but can be more challenging to learn.
TOOLS and features
difficulty to learn
Check out the software documentation to see how many tools and features are available.
4
Test Drive
4. Test Drive
Compare Your Options
Now that you know what you’re looking for, download a couple programs to compare features.
Most programs offer a free trial option for a limited time or limited set of features.
Software Shortlist
Not sure where to start? Here’s a list of some of the most common digital arts tools available.
Affinity Designer
ArtRage
Clip Studio Paint
Fire Alpaca
GIMP
Kleki
Krita
MediBang
Adobe Photoshop
Procreate